Nergal and friends
decided that a gradual decline in their previous black metal stylings
to add death metal elements wasnt an agreeable course of action.
They just dropped the black metal altogether, and SATANICA is the
result, a focused technical assault that has taken many by surprise. With
good reason. This isnt the logical step from the last album, PANDEMONIC
INCANTATIONS. Despite no personnel changes, BEHEMOTH sounds like
a different band for the most part.

The good news is that
theyve only changed the platform for their aggression, not merely
abandoned it for the sake of trendiness. Nergal is still running the show,
doing the guitars, bass, and vocals. Inferno provides the skin flaying,
and Kaos the additional guitar (both have since left BEHEMOTH,
however). They hail from Poland, so a VADER comparison shouldnt
surprise anyone.

The guitar style treads
a line between their national counterparts and MORBID ANGEL, though not
without their own ideas. "Decade of Oepion" immediately defines
their annihilative purpose, melting into "Lam" with comparable
speed. Most of the songs end with ambient outros, but like the last Abigor
theyre not overwhelming, more effective in their brevity. The lyrics
are accompanied by explanations for their inspiration, which is another
VADER-like touch. Also like VADER the words mostly deal with occult metaphysics.
Less rapid but well-written songs come in the form of "Ceremony of
Shiva" and "The Sermon to the Hypocrites," both possessing
memorable riffs.

Perhaps the ideal
display of their new direction comes from "Of Sephirotic Transformation
and Carnality," which builds up its momentum, uses it, and builds
back up to more. "Chant for Ezxhaton 2000" provides the exit,
probably the most unique moment on the album. Nergals vocals fit
the death metal mold seamlessly, coherent but suitably low. Though I could
usually care less about running time, for once I think the album could
have been more effective with at least one other song. Despite the 93
tracks there is still over 30 minutes of actual music, though. Its
been a frequently played cd here, and should hit with discriminating and
non-discriminating death metal fans.